Exam General Information, Guidelines & Polices

DIVISION OF DESIGN PROFESSIONALS

PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING BY EXAM

GENERAL INFORMATION, GUIDELINES & POLICIES

RHODE ISLAND EXAMINATION INFORMATION:

*If you're planning to register for the exam in RI, read all information on this page before proceeding with registration.

  • State approval application deadlines:

    January 1st for April Examination & August 1st for October Examination.
  • NCEES Computer based exams must be approved before registering with NCEES. Please go to this NCEES website for more information regarding NCEES's transition to computer-based testing.
  • First time examinees must complete the RI Board Application for PE by Exam, and submit with all required documentation.
  • Examinees who have been previously approved by the RI Board must submit a letter requesting approval to schedule a retake of the exam.
  • Once you receive your approval notification from the RI Board, you must register and pay exam fees to NCEES Administrative Services to reserve your seat for the exam.
  • To ensure you receive all email correspondence from NCEES Administrative Services without delay, please add noreply@els-exam-reg.org to your email contact list.
  • Admissions Authorization Notices: Each applicant will receive an email from NCEES 2-3 weeks prior to the examination indicating that their notice is available to be downloaded and printed for the exam day.
  • If you have any questions about the process please call NCEES at 800-250-3196.
  • NCEES releases exam results to the RI Board 10-12 weeks after the exam date.
  • Please note: If you register for an examination and haven't been approved by the Rhode Island Board, your exam fee will NOT be refunded.

NCEES EXAM ADMINISTRATION SERVICES FOR APRIL 2021

Examinees who were approved to take the paper and pencil exam April 2020 will be automatically approved by NCEES for the October 2020 administration.

First time and repeat exams, deadline for applications to board is:

January 1, 2021

NCEES Exam Administration Services registration opens on:

January 27, 2021

NCEES Exam Administration Services registration deadline is:

March 4, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. EST

Deadline for examinees to submit ADA and Religious Accommodation requests to NCEES:

March 4, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. EST

Cancellation deadline is: March 4, 2021 at 3:00 p.m. EST

2-3 weeks before exam...

Authorization notices will be emailed to candidates, which should be printed out and brought to the exam.

EXAM SITES:

Exact location, building, and room information will be on your admission authorization notice. It is your responsibility to ensure that you arrive at the exam site on time on the day of the exam.

BOARD POLICY ON EXAMINATIONS:

RIGL § 5-8-11 Graduation from an accredited program, experience and examination. A graduate of or senior enrolled in an ABET-EAC accredited engineering curriculum of four (4) years or more approved by the board as being of satisfactory standing, shall be admitted to an examination in the fundamentals of engineering. Upon passing this examination and obtaining a specific record of a minimum of four (4) years of experience in engineering work of a grade and character which indicates to the board that the applicant may be competent to practice engineering, the applicant may be admitted to an examination in the principles and practice of engineering. The graduate having a specific record of twelve (12) years or more of experience in engineering work of a grade and character which indicates to the board that the applicant may be competent to practice engineering, shall be admitted to an examination in the principles and practice of engineering. Upon passing that examination, the applicant shall be granted a certificate of registration to practice engineering in this state, provided he or she is qualified.

RIGL § 5-8-13 Examinations. – (a) Examinations shall be held at the times and places that the board determines. Examinations required on fundamental engineering subjects may be taken as provided in § 5-8-11. The principles and practice examinations may not be taken until the applicant has completed a period of engineering experience as prescribed in § 5-8-11.

   (b) The passing grade on any examination shall not be less than seventy percent (70%) as established by NCEES. A candidate failing one examination may apply for reexamination, which may be granted upon payment of a fee to cover the charges and expenses of examination and scoring. Any candidate for registration having an average grade of less than fifty percent (50%) may not apply for reexamination for one year. Any candidate for certification or registration failing an examination three (3) or more times must appear before the board in person to request permission to be reexamined in accordance with the board's rules and regulations. 

Regulation 140.5.2 Engineers. - An applicant who has failed the FE exam or the PE exam three (3) times in a discipline, may request permission to take the exam for an additional time, if before each additional exam attempted, they agree to complete an appropriate Board approved review course or advanced engineering courses in areas of their discipline and submit written proof to the Board of having successfully completed such course or courses. See the full document of regulations below.

State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers

Email: Dbr.designprof@dbr.ri.gov.